SolarRide/Toram

Revised Solar Ride Tree

by Toram

After playing in MetalFatigue's game for a while, I came to the realization that the Solar Ride charms were sadly underpowered. As an example, one of top charms (Flashing Thunderbolt Steed) keeps your mount from getting tired for 5m + 1W + 1 Health Level. That doesn't help much when any serious pursuit of a Solar is going to involve a sorceror with Storm Wind Rider chasing you down at 100 mph. Furthermore, in most games, being able to keep your own mount moving doesn't help much when you're only going to go as fast as your slowest circlemate. So, I set out to find a way to build a better tree. There's over 25 charms on it, but none of them are speedbumps; they all continue to serve a purpose even after the tree is mastered (which would take a very long time). Note that not all of the charms have been "flavored" yet; some of them just state the mechanical effect.

There are five rough "paths" down the tree, each with its own theme. Listed from left to right, these are:

• Mount enhancement
• Mount summoning
• Rider enhancement
• Rider-Mount synergies
• Mount control

This allows different Solars to each develop their own particular style of Ride.

Please let me know what you think! --Toram

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http://www.provide.net/~sacolcor/exalted/RideTree.png

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Note: For the purposes of all charms in this tree, a “Mount” includes any beast or contrivance whose will the Exalt has personally broken such that it will carry her and submit to her commands. It also includes any other creatures of the same type as a non-intelligent creature that the Exalt has so tamed. Thus, once the Exalt has tamed one yeddim, all yeddim may be considered Mounts. However, taming a centaur would only cause that particular centaur to be considered a Mount.

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Master Horseman’s Eye

Cost: 3 motes

Duration: One scene

Type: Reflexive

Minimum Ride: 1

Minimum Essence: 1

Prerequisite Charms: None

For the duration of this charm, the Exalt automatically and perfectly succeeds on any Perception + Ride roll to judge the quality and condition of a Mount

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Steed-Sustaining Method

Cost: 3 motes per steed per day

Duration: Indefinite

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 2

Minimum Essence: 1

Prerequisite Charms: Master Horseman’s Eye

For the duration of this charm, the Exalt may fill any Mount in sight with limitless energy. Mounts under the effect of this charm automatically succeed on Fatigue checks, and need no sustenance or maintenance. This effect lasts as long as the Exalt wishes to keep the essence committed, but that commitment grows with each passing day. Once ended, this charm cannot be re-used on the same Mount for one day.

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Steed-Summoning Whistle

Cost: 5 motes, 1 Willpower

Duration: Indefinite

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 3

Minimum Essence: 2

Prerequisite Charms: Steed-Sustaining Method

Conjures a normal animal Mount from pure Essence. The Mount has the statistics of a fine beast of its type, and appears normal to non-mystical vision. This charm cannot conjure a Mount that would have an Essence score higher than one, and ends when the character leaves the presence of the Mount.

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Phantom Steed

Cost: 10 motes, 1 Willpower

Duration: Indefinite

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 4

Minimum Essence: 3

Prerequisite Charms: Steed-Summoning Whistle

Conjures an alabaster Mount enveloped in a warm aura of solar gold. The Mount has the statistics of a fine beast of its type, but is tireless, fearless, needs no sustenance of any kind, and heals all non-aggravated damage at the end of each scene. This charm cannot conjure Mounts that would have an Essence or Artifact rating higher than one, and ends when the character leaves the presence of the Mount. If the character has an existing conjured Mount from an earlier charm on this tree, it may be enhanced to this level by paying the difference in the charms’ activation costs.

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Griffon-Summoning Gesture

Cost: 20 motes, 2 Willpower

Duration: Indefinite

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 5

Minimum Essence: 4

Prerequisite Charms: Phantom Steed

Conjures an argent Mount burning with a brilliant corona of solar fire. The Mount has the statistics of a fine beast of its type, but is tireless, fearless, needs no sustenance of any kind, and heals all non-aggravated damage at the end of each scene. It also intrinsically gains the benefit of the “Steed-Augmenting Posture”, “Gilded Stallion Prana”, and “Wind-Racing Stride Method” charms, if the Exalt knows them, at no additional cost. The Mount’s permanent Essence or Artifact rating must be less than the Exalt’s Essence. This charm ends when the character leaves the presence of the Mount. If the character has an existing conjured Mount from an earlier charm on this tree, it may be enhanced to this level by paying the difference in the charms’ activation costs.

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Steed-Augmenting Posture

Cost: 3 motes

Duration: One Scene

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 3

Minimum Essence: 2

Prerequisite Charms: Steed-Sustaining Method

The Exalt may use his own inner power to enhance the abilities of his Mount. For the duration of this charm, add the Exalt’s permanent Essence score to all of his Mount’s physical attributes.

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Gilded Stallion Prana

Cost: 4 motes

Duration: One Scene

Type: Reflexive

Minimum Ride: 4

Minimum Essence: 2

Prerequisite Charms: Steed-Augmenting Posture

The Exalt may endow her Mount’s hide with auric impregnability. For the duration of this charm, the Exalt’s Mount gains Hardness equal to the Exalt’s Essence, and increases its bashing and lethal soak by twice that amount.

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Wind-Racing Stride Method

Cost: 5 motes per Mount, 1 Willpower

Duration: One Scene

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 5

Minimum Essence: 2

Prerequisite Charms: Gilded Stallion Prana

Experienced Exalts may infuse their Mounts with the ability to outrace the wind. For the duration of this charm, multiply the movement rate of affected Mounts by the Exalt’s permanent Essence.

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Master Horseman’s Voice

Cost: 2 motes

Duration: One scene

Type: Reflexive

Minimum Ride: 2

Minimum Essence: 1

Prerequisite Charms: None

For the duration of this charm, the Exalt may communicate with any Mount using sound and gesture as well as could another creature of the same type.

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Spirit-Steadying Assurances

Cost: 2 motes per steed

Duration: One scene

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 3

Minimum Essence: 1

Prerequisite Charms: Master Horseman’s Voice

For the remainder of the scene, the Exalt may fill any Mount in sight with her own confidence. Creatures under the effect of this charm automatically succeed in Valor checks. This effect ends immediately if the Exalt fails a Valor check.

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Flawless Partnership Meditation

Cost: 10 motes, 1 Willpower, 1 experience point

Duration: Instant (Permanent)

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 3

Minimum Essence: 2

Prerequisite Charms: Spirit-Steadying Assurances

The Exalt may form a permanent empathic bond, creating a Chosen Mount. The Mount must already be willing and subservient to the Exalt’s wishes. This bond conveys three benefits. First, the Exalt permanently gains the benefits of the Steed-Mastery Method on all Ride rolls relating to this Mount. Second, while riding, the Exalt may take any or all health levels of damage sustained by the Mount upon herself. Finally, the Mount and Exalt will always know each other’s approximate location, and may mentally communicate on a level appropriate to the Mount’s Intelligence. This also counts as a two-way arcane link. The Exalt may not have more Chosen Mounts than her Ride ability at any one time.

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Heroic Steed Imbuement

Cost: 20 motes, 2 Willpower, 1 experience point

Duration: Instant (Permanent)

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 5

Minimum Essence: 3

Prerequisite Charms: Flawless Partnership Meditation

Through the use of this charm, the Exalt gains the ability to is able to enhance her Chosen Mount with unnatural resilience and acumen. The Mount gains the God-Body Merit at the full (10-pt) level (See Players Guide). Additionally, the Exalt may thereafter transfer experience points to her Mount; each XP transferred causes the Mount to gain 10 XP, which may be used to enhance its traits as per a heroic mortal, but requiring no training time. This charm does not allow a Mount to buy traits that the Storyteller determines are impossible for that type of creature to learn, and may not enhance any single trait by more than the Exalt’s permanent Essence. This charm may only be used on sentient Mounts.

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Divine Steed Endowment

Cost: 30 motes, 3 Willpower, 1 experience point

Duration: Instant (Permanent)

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 5

Minimum Essence: 4

Prerequisite Charms: Heroic Steed Imbuement

When this charm is invoked, it permanently bestows supernatural might upon the Exalt’s Chosen Mount. The Mount is transformed into a half-caste being of the same caste as the Exalt himself, with an Inheritance equal to half the Exalt’s Essence (rounded down). The Mount may immediately use the bonus points thus gained to purchase new Merits. It also automatically receives the “Aura of Power” flaw (for normal points). The Mount may now purchase any magical traits and charms that the Storyteller does not deem inapplicable for the Mount’s physiology. While the Exalt is riding this chosen steed, either may transfer essence motes to the other with a reflexive action. This charm may only be used on sentient Mounts.

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Wyvern-Taming Technique

Cost: 4 motes, 1 Willpower

Duration: One scene

Type: Supplemental

Minimum Ride: 4

Minimum Essence: 2

Prerequisite Charms: Spirit-Steadying Assurances

This charm adds automatic successes equal to the Exalt’s permanent Essence to any Ride roll used to cause a potential Mount to obey the Exalt’s will. Furthermore, if the initial roll succeeds, the Mount will obey the Exalt’s commands until the end of the scene, even if fully taming it would require accumulating additional successes.

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Dominant Stallion Stance

Cost: 5 motes, 1 Willpower

Duration: One scene

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 5

Minimum Essence: 2

Prerequisite Charms: Wyvern-Taming Technique

When this charm is active, any sentient Mount will behave in a docile and submissive fashion in the presence of the Exalt (within 10x his Essence yards). A rider attempting to force their Mount to act in any other way must make a Charisma + Ride (Wits + Ride for non-sentient Mounts) check at a difficulty equal to the Exalt’s Essence. Failure results in the Mount kneeling in deference to the Exalt for the duration of the charm.

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Horsemaster’s Will Discipline

Cost: 5 motes, 1 Willpower

Duration: One Scene

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 5

Minimum Essence: 3

Prerequisite Charms: Dominant Stallion Stance

The Exalt’s mastery of the bond between rider and Mount is great enough that she can assert control over any one Mount within 100xEssence yards. The Exalt makes a contested Charisma + Ride (Wits + Ride for non-sentient Mounts) roll against the Mount’s rider. If the Exalt is successful, she may command the Mount as though she was its rider for the duration of the charm. The Mount’s Essence or Artifact rating must be less than the Exalt’s Essence.

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Steed Mastery Method

Cost: 4 motes

Duration: One scene

Type: Reflexive

Minimum Ride: 3

Minimum Essence: 1

Prerequisite Charms: Master Horseman’s Eye, Master Horseman’s Voice

For the remainder of the scene, the Exalt need never roll to avoid being accidentally thrown from her mount, and may add her permanent Essence to all Ride dice pools, and to her initiative while fighting from her Mount.

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Righteous Cavalry Technique

Cost: 2 motes

Duration: Instant

Type: Reflexive

Minimum Ride: 3

Minimum Essence: 2

Prerequisite Charms: Steed-Mastery Method

While mounted, the skilled rider may use her skill with her Mount to augment her abilities in combat. By invoking this charm, the Exalt may substitute her Ride ability for her Melee, Brawl, or Dodge ability for a single action while mounted. Note that charms and other effects affecting the replaced ability will no longer affect the roll, however charms affecting Ride tests will be effective as usual.

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Steadfast Stallion’s Fortitude

Cost: 4 motes

Duration: One Scene

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 4

Minimum Essence: 2

Prerequisite Charms: Righteous Cavalry Technique

While Mounted, the Exalt may draw on her Mount as a reserve of endurance. For the duration of this charm, the character may add her Mount’s base Stamina to her own. This charm does not work on Mounts without a Stamina trait, such as most artifacts.

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Hoof and Tooth Strike

Cost: 4 motes

Duration: Instant

Type: Supplemental

Minimum Ride: 4

Minimum Essence: 2

Prerequisite Charms: Righteous Cavalry Technique

The Exalt may add her Mount’s Strength to her own when calculating the damage from a single Mounted Brawl or Melee attack. This charm must be invoked before the attack is rolled, and may be placed in a combo with charms from other Abilities.

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Cavalry Training Discipline

Cost: 10 motes, 1 Willpower

Duration: One Month

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 5

Minimum Performance: 3

Minimum Essence: 2

Prerequisite Charms: Hoof and Tooth Strike, Steadfast Stallion’s Fortitude

Trains 100xEssence riders to a minimum Ride of 3, and converts even the gauntest sumpters into fine warhorses. Subsequent applications add 1 to the students’ Ride and two +1s to the Mounts’ statistics.

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Divine Messenger Conveyance

Cost: 10 motes, 1 Willpower

Duration: One journey

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 5

Minimum Performance: 3

Minimum Essence: 4

Prerequisite Charms: Wind-Racing Stride Method, Cavalry Training Discipline

Braced by the authority of the Unconquered Sun, few things can keep the Quicksilver Falcons from delivering their messages. Focusing upon their destination and activating this charm, the Exalt and his Mount leave Creation and enter Elsewhere. There they remain until sufficient time has passed to reach their destination at the Mount’s speed. Then, the Exalt flickers back into existence at his desired objective. Only magical warding or an encompassing barrier of one of the five Magical Materials will cause this charm to fail.

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Charge Halting Imperative

Cost: 15 motes, 1 Willpower

Duration: Instant

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 5

Minimum Performance: 3

Minimum Essence: 4

Prerequisite Charms: Horsemaster’s Will Discipline, Cavalry Training Discipline

With unquestioned authority, the Exalt may command the obedience of ridden creatures. The Exalt may issue a command to up to 100 x her Permanent Essence Mounts within her sight. Every Mount will obey unless its rider makes a Charisma + Ride (Wits + Ride for non-sentient Mounts) roll with a difficulty equal to the Exalt’s Essence. This charm will not affect Mounts with Essence traits higher than one.

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Transcendent Courier’s Stride

Cost: 20 motes, 1 Willpower

Duration: Instant

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 5

Minimum Performance: 3

Minimum Essence: 5

Prerequisite Charms: Divine Messenger Conveyance, Divine Steed Endowment

By focusing the power of her Essence through her Chosen Mount, the Exalt may transcend the bounds of Creation itself. Upon invoking this charm, the character may enter Yu-Shan, Spirit Sancti, the Underworld, or Malfeas, or return from thence to Creation. The character will arrive at the nearest non-warded correspondence to her point of origin.

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Mounted Legion Manifestation

Cost: 30 motes, 2 Willpower

Duration: Indefinite

Type: Simple

Minimum Ride: 5

Minimum Performance: 3

Minimum Essence: 5

Prerequisite Charms: Griffon Summoning Gesture, Charge Halting Imperative

Drawing upon her essence, the Exalt creates enough Mounts to convey a small army. The Exalt may create up to 100 x her Permanent Essence steeds, of the same type as those created by the “Phantom Steed” charm. These Mounts intuitively understand their rider’s desires, increasing the Ride ability of their riders by one (granting the ability if the rider did not already possess it). This charm lasts as long as the Exalt wishes to keep the essence committed.

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Perfect Rider’s Poise

Cost: 5 motes, 1 Willpower

Duration: One Scene

Type: Supplemental

Minimum Ride: 6

Minimum Performance: 3

Minimum Essence: 6

Prerequisite Charms: Transcendent Courier’s Stride, Mounted Legion Manifestation

For the duration of this charm, the Exalt may treat every die on a Ride roll as an automatic success while riding her Chosen Mount.